Deb Ng wrote an awesome post about getting writing jobs today that brought up a point that I’ve been pondering for a while. Her post, entitled Yes, you will be Googled,  brings up a lot of good points that I don’t think most work at home moms keep in mind.

While I’m a member of a popular work at home mom forum, I rarely post. While I could join in the daily rants about clients, speculate about why an editor sent a post back for a rewrite, or wonder out loud whether or not I’ve been hired for a specific job, I choose not to.

Instead, I sit back, read the other posts, and glean the bits of information I need. By keeping my mouth shut, I learn who’s applying for what job (and who I’m competing with). I learn who’s working for how much (or how little). I learn more  information than you’d imagine just by paying attention.

I often spend time wondering, however, just what in the world other posters are thinking. Do they not understand that their rants and raves are being recorded for posterity? Do they not get that the petty snipes they’re making at each other can be viewed by potential clients?

I’ve been attacked by members of this same forum for daring to express my opinion on how writers should market themselves. When I’ve suggested places to network, I’ve been called a bottom feeder. When I’ve suggested affiliate marketing as a great way to write for yourself and earn an income, I’ve been called a scammer.

As a work at home mom, it’s important to keep in mind that every syllable you type online can be found by potential clients. Sure, you can put a lovely cover letter together and send out a classy resume with it. But if the client googles you and finds you knocking other writers, acting like a prima donna, badmouthing your current clients, and swearing that it’s beneath you to work for less than <insert amount> – on a public forum – do you really think that’s going to bode well?

Doubtful.

Building a freelance business is primarily about branding. Online, you brand yourself with your words – words that are associated with the screen names you use and that can be found easily by potential clients.

If you’re getting started as a freelance writer, chances are that everyone and his brother is telling you that you need a website. A real, live website with a domain and hosting and all that other techie stuff.

If you don’t know how to do these things,  you’re probably afraid it’s gonna cost you a small fortune – and if you go with the wrong person, it just might.

Luckily, there’s some really cool stuff going on over at Ittybiz. Naomi and her crew are trying to help tons of people quit their crappy day jobs this year, and she’s running a case study with one Johnny B. Truant.

Why does this matter to you?

Because the dude is practically giving his services away. No lie – he’s selling Wordpress installations for $39 if you purchase hosting through him (and that won’t cost you a fortune, either).

Folks, I charge $250 for a Wordpress installation and theme installation, and I get it pretty regularly. This is an incredible deal, and if you need a website, you should totally check it out.

So, head on over and get your cheap website, before he realizes he’s lost his mind.

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I have a degree in Psychology, and spent several years working in a psychiatric hospital. The mentally ill are sick no matter what the calendar says, and there’s always a need for staffing. This meant that I was mandated to work at least one day out of every set of holidays – Thanksgiving day or Black Friday, Christmas Eve or Christmas Day – you get the idea. Either I worked on location or from home on call, but regardless, my holiday was pretty well ruined. Holidays were exhausting, and I spent the majority of my time wishing I could be at home with my family.

The Christmas of 2006, however, life changed dramatically. I had just had a baby in September, and was struggling to hold it all together at work. I was literally hanging on by a thread. Christmas Eve, my mother was killed in a car accident, and that thread snapped. I spent the next few weeks taking care of arrangements, making plans, and reevaluating my life choices. I took two weeks off work. When I returned, my heart just wasn’t in it. Eventually, they let me go for lack of focus – with good reason. I was completely unable to focus on anything except how badly I wanted to be home with my family.

I opened my own business that July, and never looked back. I was able to spend time at home with my little girl and earn an income at the same time – something I had never dreamed was even a possibility. With the help of my trusty laptop, I was able to attend my family’s Fourth of July celebration, spend time with far-flung loved ones, and submit my articles and earn an income – all at the same time! This was the first time I truly experienced the freedom that comes with working from home.